Introduction
- Superficial erosions - more common than deep ulceration.
- Cause : drugs (especially corticosteroids, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), mast cell neoplasia, hepatic disease, renal disease, gastric neoplasia, chronic gastritis, gastroma, Helicobacter.
- Signs : vomiting, hematemesis, melena and weight loss.
- Diagnosis : gastroscopy.
- Treatment : eliminate underlying cause, H2 antagonists, sucralfate.
- Prognosis : may perforate → septic peritonitis and death.
Diagnosis
Clinical signs
- Anemia.
- Signs referrable to any predisposing disease.
Diagnosis
Differential diagnosis
Melena
Sequelae
Prognosis
- Good for drug induced ulceration.
- Guarded for hepatic and renal disease.
- Poor for neoplasia.
Expected response to treatment
- Control of any hemorrhage and vomiting within 1-2 days of starting treatment.
- Healing of ulcer within 7-10 days.
Reasons for treatment failure
- Failure to recognize and treat predisposing disease.
Sources
Publications
Refereed papers
- Boothe D M (1999) Gastrointestinal pharmacology. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract 29 (2), 343-376.
- Penninck D &Tidwell A (1997) Ultrasonography of gastric ulceration in the dog. Vet Radiol 38 , 308-312.
- Meddings J B et al(1995) Non invasive detection of NSAID-induced gastropathy in dogs. Am J Vet Res 56 , 977-981.
- Jenkins C C & DeNovo R C (1991) Omeprazole - a potent anti-ulcer drug. Comp Cont Ed Prac Vet 13 , 1578-1583.
- Moreland K J (1988) Ulcer disease of the upper gastrointestinal tract in small animals. Comp Cont Ed 10 , 1256-1278.




